BANGALORE: The city will soon have a gathering place for people who are travelling on the Haj Pilgrimage to Mecca. A swanky building being built at an estimated cost of Rs 40 crore, the ‘Haj Ghar’ will be able to accommodate 500 people within 100 rooms built over an area of 3.17 acre located in RK Hegdenagar in Yelahanka.
The foundation stone for the ‘Haj Ghar’ was laid here on Sunday by Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda amongst much fanfare as religious leaders from around the state took part. The ‘Haj Ghar’ will provide easy connectivity to the Bangalore International Airport on account of its location and will have facilities for briefing to the pilgrims on matters of airport procedures and flight instructions.
Haj Committee officials also stated that the centre would have a separate mosque for worship and each room would be able to accommodate four people.
Speaking at the inaugural programme, Syed Zameer Pasha, Secretary of Department of Minorities Welfare said, “It is a matter of pride and communal harmony that the project has been launched on Sankranti. All this work is possible because of the CM’s personal interest.”
Religious head Maulana Mufti Ashraf Ali stated that fulfilling a long standing demand of the Muslim population in the state by the CM has shown his secular credentials. “The muslim population of the state is happy under his rule,” he said. Showing his support for the project DV Sadananda Gowda said that he is ready to grant `10 crore more for the project if needed. “An amount of `15 crore has already been given and the state is ready to grant Rs 10 crore more for the project. We (BJP) have been accused of donating only to temples and today’s function will free us of that accusation.”
Home Minister R Ashok, MLA Krishnabyregowda, MP Chandregowda, MLA NA Harris, Former Minister and Senior Congress Leader CK Jaffer Sharief were also present.